'My father and martyrs were insulted', Sheikh Hasina's first statement after leaving Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina Statement: Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has issued a statement for the first time after leaving the country. Sheikh Hasina's son Sajib Wazed Joy issued this statement on behalf of Sheikh Hasina on his social media handle X.

What is in the statement?

Sheikh Hasina said in her statement that '...I appeal to you to observe the National Mourning Day on 15 August with full dignity and seriousness. Pray for the liberation of all souls by offering floral wreaths and prayers at Bangabandhu Bhavan.'

'My entire family was murdered'

Sheikh Hasina wrote in her statement, 'On 15 August 1975, Bangladesh President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally murdered. I have deep respect for him. At the same time my mother Begum Fazilatunnesa, my three brothers freedom fighter Captain Sheikh Kamal, freedom fighter Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal, Kamal and Jamal's newly wed bride Sultana Kamal and Rosie Jamal, my younger brother who was just 10 years old (Sheikh Russell) were brutally murdered.

প্রিয় দেশবাসী
আসসালামুয়ালাইকুম
ভাই ও বোনেরা, ১৯৭৫ সালে ১৫ই আগস্ট বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি জাতির পিতা বঙ্গবন্ধু শেখ মুজিবুর রহমানকে নির্মমভাবে হত্যা করে। তাঁর প্রতি গভীর শ্রদ্ধা জানাই। একই সাথে আমার মা বেগম ফজিলাতুন্নেসা, আমার তিন ভাই মুক্তিযোদ্ধা ক্যাপ্টেন শেখ কামাল,… — Sajeeb Wazed (@sajeebwazed) August 13, 2024

My only uncle freedom fighter paralyzed Sheikh Nasir, President's military secretary Brigadier Jamil Uddin, police officer Siddikur Rahman were brutally murdered. Salute to freedom fighter Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni and his pregnant wife Arju Moni, Agriculture Minister freedom fighter Abdur Rab Saraniabad, his 10-year-old son Arif 13-year-old daughter Baby, 4-year-old grandson Sukant, brother's son freedom fighter journalist Shahid Saraniabad, nephew Rentu and many others were brutally murdered. May the soul of all those who were martyred on 15 August rest in peace and my tribute to the martyrs.'

'The culprits should be identified and punished'

Hasina said that 'many people have lost their lives in the vandalism, arson and violence in the name of the movement since last July. I pray for the peace of their souls. My sympathies are with those who are living with the pain of losing their loved ones like me. I demand that those involved in these murders and vandalism be properly investigated and the culprits be identified and punished.'

My father was insulted

Sheikh Hasina further said that 'Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under whose leadership we gained self-respect as an independent nation, found self-identity and found an independent country, has been grossly insulted. I want justice from the countrymen.'

A trial will be held on the charge of murder

A trial will be held against Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and six others, including two senior ministers who were ministers in her cabinet and a sacked police chief, on the charge of murder. Court officials gave this information on Tuesday.